By: Kinley Polnasek
My name is Kinley Polnasek and I am 11 years old and currently in 5th grade at St. Joseph Elementary in Battle Creek. This is my second year participating with Team Athletic Mentors. I love all things sports and currently play basketball and soccer in addition to triathlons. I completed my first kids triathlon when I was 7 years old at the Cereal City Triathlon. No one in my family or extended family has ever participated in the sport so I thought it would be cool if I was the first one! While I was nervous at first, I loved how fast and competitive it was. The final sprint through the finish line is always my favorite part. It gives me the chance to really push myself and see how much more I have to give!
I am really proud of how I’ve finished each race I’ve competed in and how much I’ve improved on my weakest area, the swim. I’ve been working hard with a local swim club to gain more confidence, speed and endurance.
Out of all three disciplines, the run is probably my favorite. At a very young age I watched my parents compete in different run distances and then started joining in on the shorter ones. My dad is a big inspiration when it comes to running. He
has completed six 100-mile races including the Western States 100. Since being involved in these ultra marathons, I’ve come across several women who I look up to and am inspired by, such as Courtney Dauwalter, Sally McRae and Des Linden. I’ve read their books and often find myself using their mantras. Courtney’s idea of the pain cave pushes me to my own limits and Des Linden’s mantra ‘Calm, calm, calm, relax, relax, relax’ is one I find myself repeating.
My main goal for this year is to bump up to a Sprint Triathlon for at least one of my races. The last couple of years I’ve done Super Sprints or Kid’s Events and I’m hoping to be able to push my training and get even more experience at the next level. I plan to race a few new triathlons this year including the new South Haven Tri. In between my soccer and basketball training, I plan to keep up with my running, start getting outside for biking and continue strength training with my mom at Athletic Mentors!
In five years I will be in the middle of my high school career. While I’m uncertain of what that might look like, I am certain that I will continue my athletic career. I would love to attend a college like University of Michigan or Notre Dame and compete at the next level. That is the dream!
